Bridport Marine Zone Master Plan
In 2018, the Tasmanian Liberal Party made an election commitment towards the development of a Bridport Foreshore Master Plan (BFMP). There was $250,000 allocated to this project to be administered by Marine and Safety Tasmania (MAST).
In late 2018 and in accordance with the election commitment, MAST commissioned the Bridport Foreshore Master Plan (BFMP) “to provide a community-led master plan for the Bridport foreshore that provides recommendations on the future infrastructure and opportunities with better access and improved amenity to the foreshore / waterways including:
- Assessment for a new Bridport pier including recreational boating access;
- Improved boat ramps, parking and launching facilities; and
- Improved access to the port of Bridport.”
The BFMP was completed in November 2019, and the final report amended with Council and MAST comments and released publically in January 2022. During this consultation process a Marine and Estuarine Environmental Assessment was also completed, dated March 2019. Both reports can be downloaded below.
The preferred development plan (per the BFMP) included infrastructure delivered in the following phases with a combined capital investment of $46 million:
- Phase 1 - Old Pier Boat Ramp Extension and New Jetty;
- Phase 2 - Jetty Extension at Old Pier site; and
- Phase 3 - New Port Entrance, Commercial Wharf and Port Marina.
The final cost of the BFMP was $125,000 with the balance of funds allocated to other election commitments that were unfunded.
In the lead up to the 2021 State Election, the Liberal Party made a further commitment of $5 million through MAST to “deliver the first stage of proposed upgrades including an upgrade of the existing boat ramp to enable greater tide access, construction of a public jetty with a low landing and wave attenuating fenders to enable safe boarding of boats and the inclusion of a wave screen attached to the jetty to attenuate wave action in the landing area. This initiative will also provide for detailed environmental and engineering studies to inform further development of a potential future new river entrance and port expansion”. This commitment was based on recommendations contained in the BPFM, including a 126 metre public jetty.
In March 2023, Marine and Safety Tasmania (MAST), in conjunction with the Dorset Council, undertook a master planning review of opportunities for marine infrastructure upgrades and new development to support the growth in commercial shipping, fishing (commercial and recreational) and tourism. This process identified a preferred infrastructure development plan including project packages with a combined capital investment of $46m incorporating:
Package A – New Port entrance feasibility and detailed study;
Package B – Old Pier site boat ramp extension and jetty;
Package C – Jetty extension; and
Package D – New Port entrance, commercial wharf and Port marina.
MAST received additional funding from the State government to proceed with a technical review of the package scopes including a review of engineering and environmental constraints to the project. This report reviewed the Old Pier site and the issues with extending the Old Pier site boat ramp and provided detail in relation to attenuation for a new jetty.
On the 22 August 2023, the Bridport Pier Working Group received correspondence from Minister Ferguson – Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure and Transport which included the following pertinent paragraph:
“I am writing to confirm the Government’s commitment to construct a new 126 metre public jetty adjacent to the Old Pier boar ramp in accordance with Package B contained in the Bridport Foreshore Master Plan. Marine and Safety Tasmania (MAST) will progress this element of the Government’s 2021 Bridport election commitment with the aim of commencing construction late 2024, once all necessary approvals are received.”
On the 22 August 2023 the Dorset Council received the correspondence from Minister Ferguson with the following paragraph being of note:
“To assist Council in conducting further design and construction work on the proposed new port entrance, including a feasibility study on the proposed marina contained in Package D of the Bridport Foreshore Master Plan, I have requested Marine and Safety Tasmania (MAST) provide $600,000 of the election commitment funding to Dorset Council via a Grant Deed(s). The Deed(s) will contain parameters around the use of the funding, reporting requirements and timeframes for delivery.”
The BFMP only included desktop surveys and further detailed information is required including marine surveys, critical technical engineering and environmental constraints and the preparation of technical studies to ascertain whether the proposed new port entrance can progress to an approval phase. If the new port entrance can progress to approval phase the next stage would include a feasibility study on a proposed marina.
For further information on the Proposed New Bridport Pier, including the potential sites please visit the MAST website here.
A public information session to discuss the Proposed New Bridport Pier is scheduled to occur at the Bridport Hall on Thursday 28 March 2024 between 4pm and 6pm.
Updated March 2024
Project Status
✓ Project Commenced
Consultation
Feasibility Study Drafted
